Manley Stacey Civil War Letters

Camp Hayes

June 8th /63

Dear Father

I received you letter of the 2nd, day before yesterday, & should have answered it before, but there is a great scarcity of News in Camp at Present. I have sent you 10,00 in two different letters which I hope you will receive, all right.

Saturday, Genl Hayes had a Picnic Party at Stone Mills, for his wife who, had just come. The Colors, from all the Regts except the 125th, were used so of course, the Color Guard had to go. They had a platform made, & the Band played. Altogether we had a very pleasant time.

We are having very easy times now in Camp, Col Husk, is drilling us but a very little, & is letting us go out of Camp when we choose. We are waiting very anxiously for our Band, when that comes we are all right. This morning about 6, between 3 & 4000 Cavalry, under Genl Stahl, went out on a Scout, they had a Battery of Light Artillery, with them. We shall hear a good account of them soom. Two of the Men, that our Boys took the other day, were at the Ferry, when we were taken. They belonged to the 4th Va Cavalry.

If Col Mac, marries Sewards daughter, while he is home, we shall be at Washington in less than a month, doing Provost Duty. Wouldn’t that do me good. We are fixing up our new Camp, & will soon have things pleasant. We have got things fixed up, tip top in our Tent now. I shall try & get a Picture of my Tent taken & send it home. Barney Aleck & Al Hunt, are all gone on Picket this morning, no one left in the Tent but me.

I will write to Mother tomorrow

Love to all

Manley

——————–

(To Charlie?)

I was glad to hear from you again. I am sorry you had so much Trouble at Potter, if you had only known, the Colt, intended kicking you, you might have lit down the Fence. I did not send you any money this Pay Day, but I think I can let you have $5,00 between now & the 4th.

I suppose Father has told you, that if we remain here, I shall be home in August. I want you to keep the horse fit & clean, for I shall want to ride around a little.

I will write you again soon

Manley 

Camp Hayes
June 11th /63

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 6th, last night. Last night we got the first mail, since Sunday, owing to some mistake made in Washington. Our New Major came last night, though I suppose he will not report for duty yet. It is reported, that he is to bring 200 men, for his Commission, if he does, it will nearly fill up the Regt.

Day before yesterday I went out to another Picnic, & had a very good time. There is no extra news in Camp today, I hope you have received the money I sent you, all right. Yesterday I go me a map of Eastern Virginia, it has every little place & Run, & is just what I have wanted, for a long time. Last night I went to a Funeral of one, of the 9 Mass Battery Boys. It was very solemn, The Coffin was carried on a Cassion to a Gun, & was covered with a Flag, The Cassion drawn by 6 Grey Horses. the Band Played a March, the Chaplain, made a few remarks, & then a Salute over his grave. It was the most solemn thing I have seen in a long time, Genl Hayes & Staff were all out.

Everything is quiet in Camp this morning, Barney & Al, go on Camp Guard & Aleck on Picket. Williams says he thought the Bread would dry up, & we would not want it so he gave it away. I got my watch from Alexandria, this morning, it cost me $1,7[5] to get fixed up.

Love to all

Manley

——————–

Charlie

You want to know why I did not send for you, to come down here. It is not, that I do not want to see you, I told Father several times If we ever laid where you could come convenient I should send for you. You said you left to Gard x Guard, you are no Military Man, to spell it that way. Why didn’t you send to me for some Money, to buy that watch & done with it. If I can spare any I will do it. I think you had better manage to write me once a week, or down goes your Cook House

Manley

Camp Hayes

June 16th /63

Dear Father

I received two letters from you yesterday one dated the 4th & the other the 11th, in one of which I received some Stamps. You were much mistaken about the Privates, sharing in that Picnic, even I on Duty did not get anything. Nearly every Officer in Camp has Wife here, I have not spoken to Mrs Holmes yet, we see but little of her in the Company.

Things in Camp are moving on the same as usual. We had no Brigade Drill yesterday, for to tell the truth where was no Place to Drill, The Ground is all covered with Troops. The whole of Hookers Army, passed through here yesterday, except the 3d Corps, that with the Cavalry, is Guarding the RR, between here & Warrenton, to get Hookers supplies away, Hooker made his Head Quarters, at Fairfax Court House, yesterday, & today he makes it here.

In regard to Lee, The boys that came in yesterday, said we would have a Fight here before, tonight, but I think not, all the afternoon, we could see heavy clouds of Dust towards Bull Run, I think Lee, will move into Maryland & Hooker will follow him right up. I expect these Troops will leave here today. They look hard, having marched 25 miles a day, coming here.

I found several of my Schoolmates, in the 136th, NY, from Dansville, one Rev, Stephen Brown’s Son, that I was well acquainted with. Another by the name of Tousy, who is in the Signal Corps. Yesterday I saw, Maj Genl Howard & Carl Schurz, today I shall see Genl [S]ickles & most likely Hooker & his Staff. You can look no way from our Camp, without seeing the Ground covered with Troops, It is reported, that Lee has a strong Force, between here & Warrenton. I will write every day, till this is over, though I can not tell whether the letters will reach you

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
June 17th 63
7 AM

Dear Father

Yesterday all of the Troops here, drew their 4 Days Rations, & packed up, their things & this morning at 3 AM, they commenced moving. Where no one knows. I think however they will turn up in Lees Rear, either in Maryland, or near Harpers Ferry. The boys themselves think they are going to Maryland. They are all in good Spirits, all anxious to meet Lee again, & clean him out this time.

I have had a good many talks with boys, from the 11th Corps, they explain things a little, & throw the blame where it ought to be, on Howard. It seems that he had notice after notice, that Jackson was Flanking him, but made no move to better his position. The 11th Corps was on the extreme right, & some of Howards, Generals, rode up to him & said, repeatedly, for God’s sake General, let us change our Front, they are Flanking us, his answer, go back to your Posts, you are more scared than [hurt]. Jackson Massed his Troops & threw them on this Corps, in such a way, that he could rake them down in the Rifle Pits & they could do nothing. The 11th Corps Boys swear he never will come out of another Battle alive. Take them altogether & they are a noble looking, lot of men which with a good General would do something.

Yesterday there was some talk of our joining the 1st Corps, but they have left us. The Waggon Train, is passing through now, & is 5 miles long. I have been through the camps this morning & could get clothing enough, to set up a store. There has been a great deal of excitement, here for the past few days, but now it will die down. I only wish we were going on with them. Looking out of my Tent, I can see Acres of Waggons, it is quite a Sight.

Hoping to hear from you soon

Love to all

Manley

(ed’s note: Written upside down in the top margin)
I saw Mr Brown, yesterday of the 44 NY, he looks hard

Camp Hayes Centerville Va
Company Dee 111th Regt NYSV
June 18th /63

My Dear Charles

I send with this letter, two Pictures of Camps both of which we have Camped at. The largest one I send to Maggie & the smallest one to Rosa. The Envelope, Pictures, & this Sheet of Paper, only cost 5cts.

Everything is quiet in Camp today, about 80 Rebs were brought in this morning, mostly Officers, there was one Major General, among them. Our Boys have had some Fighting to do since they left here, as we heard Canonading, all day yesterday, It was reported this morning that we had all of Stuarts Cavalry, this I do not see. This afternoon we can hear Canons plainly, towards the Ferry.

Col Mac returned yesterday but without the Band, I hope however they will come in a few days. It was reported yesterday, that, we were to March, tomorrow, & to follow up Hookers Army. I think we shall stay here long, if we move at all, it will be towards Washington. The 3d Army Corps, still [lays] here, Gen Sickles Corps.

This morning we had Brigade Inspection, it was awful warm, is warm enough to melt a Nigger. I wish you could have been here this week & have seen [what] I have, get up in the morning at Revilee & hear 30 or 40 Bands Playing, I tell you it sounded Splendid. After the Troops left yesterday, I went around with Barney & we got all new Knapsacks that the Boys had thrown away, also six[ ] Shelter Tents, so today Barney & I have been putting an Addition to our Tent, for our special use.

We have just had an awful dust Storm, I never have seen so much dust in my life, We have had no rain here, in a month, & with an Army like this, it has made it awful. Barney came very near being Sun [struck] this morning, he was Detailed to go on Picket & could hardly stand up. he fell out & could hardly come to Camp, we Doctored him up & this afternoon he feels better. I saw Ben Browns Cousin, the other day, he is in the 136th NY, Ben Brown has enlisted in the 12th Heavy Artillery.

I shall send Aunt Sarah, a Picture of our Color Guard. I got these Pictures for 35cts a piece & have sold enough, for 50cts, to pay for mine. In a week or two, we are going to have a Picture Taken, of our Squad & the Tent, I will send you one. Father was talking when here, about Army Expressions, I heard some the other day, A fellow told me he had got a Pretty from home, he meant his Girl[s] Picture. Here is another. Dead, Open Shut, I can not tell what is the meaning of this.

June 19th 7 AM. We had a glorious old Rain last night, so this morning the Air feels better. It is reported that we have taken 1000 Prisoners, yesterday at Warrenton. The Cavalry keep bringing them in here. from here they are sent to Washington. Now I want you to write me a good long letter, with all the News

Manley

——————–

Dear Mother

I do not know what in the world made you think, I did not like to read your letters, I am sure I never said so, but have always said I was very glad to hear from you. I do not want you, to think I am tired of Reading your letters, not by any means.

In regard to my spending so much money, I know that it is hardly right, but this month, shall be the last, I will live more economically, & send more home. I did not know how much I have been drawing, now I know I will do better.

There is some talk, of our Joining the [3d] Corps, & going on with them, I really hope it is so, at any rate we shall soon leave here. I wish you could look in my Tent this morning, & Just see how nice Barney & I have fixed up, it is fixed up splendid

If you want another Picture of Color Guard let me know

Hoping to hear from you soon

With Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
June 20th /63

Dear Father

Yesterday afternoon, the last of the 8th Corps left Centerville, towards Warrenton, where they go I can not tell. All day yesterday we heard Canonading, over at Aldie, It was reported that we were Fighting there. Last night the 2nd Corps, comanded by Genl Hancock came in & Camped for the night. They say that they came to Relieve us & that we go back to Arlington Hights. It has been a Camp Rumor, for a week or two past, that we go to Arlington Hights, to support, the Forts there. I heard some Officers talking yesterday, & they said our Corps, (the 22d) was the Reserve, for Hookers Army, & that the whole Corps would be stationed near Alexandria so in case of trouble, Hooker will fall back on us.

In my Opinion, there is going to be a Fight right here, everything looks like it, Contrabands, that come in, Report that Lee has a strong Force, at Manassas Gap, only 7 miles from here, of so he may come down on us, one of these fine Days. It has long been a Camp report that for some reason or other, we were exchanged, to do Guard Duty & not go Beyond the Defense of Washington, namely, over Bull Run Creek, I have heard Officers say this.

After the 3d Corps left yesterday, I picked up two Blankets, such as would be worth $5,00 a pair, at Home. I could get some splendid Blankets while at that, But I can not. Today we have strict Orders, for not a man to go outside the Camp Guard, this is the General Order. This looks as if something was up, The 108th NY, lays near us, I want to go over there, as I know some of those Boys, well I can go tomorrow.

Harvey is having a serious time with his leg, yesterday he had, to have his leg cut again, it will be some time, before it heals up, all the rest are well.

Hoping to hear from you soon, love to all

Kiss Maggie for me

Manley

(ed’s note: upside down in the top margin)
Take care of these letters for me MTS

Camp Hayes Centerville
June 22d, 6,30 AM

Dear Father

I received your letter of the 17th yesterday & will reply this morning. I thought you would be in great deal of excitement at Home, so I wrote every day.

Thus far Hookers move has made but little difference to us, but my oppinion [sic], is there will be an awful Battle Fought, here on Bull Run. Everyone seems to think the Decisive Battle will be Fought There. Yesterday morning at 4 AM we were called up, to pack our Knapsacks, & get two days Rations in Haversacks & be ready to move at 6 AM. We left about 6, with 2 Days Rations, all of our Picks & Shovels, & our Ambulances.

It turned out that we were to Build & protect the Bull Run Bridge not the one you saw, but a Stone one, on the Warrenton Road. After laying there 2 or 3 Hours, we were Ordered back to Camp, except Co A, they were to stay & protect the Pioneers who were Building it. While we were laying out there, the Chap & Quartermaster, went out around to Reconoiter a little, & were driven back, We have got a big note on them, their making a charge on the Rebels. 5 Reb Cavalrymen, came up on top of a hill, not more than 3/4 of a mile from us, & watched us through their Glasses, Just as Cool as you please. There was some awful Fighting at Thorofare Gap yesterday, we could hear the Canonading, very plain, We are anxious to hear the particulars, as there is any quantity of Rumors in Camp. This Gap, is only 15 miles from us, so you can tell, how plainly we could hear it.

About 12,000 Cavalry & mounted Infantry, passed through, here, from Washington, In my Opinion, there will be an awful Fight this week & we shall have a hand in.

Our Corps, the 22d, is now the Reserve for Hookers Army, so if he meets with no Reserves, we may not get in the Fight. I will write every day, as long as there is any excitement, The Ladies are all in Camp yet. I am glad to get, your Rock Dems for the Socal [sic] news, if nothing more

Love to all

Manley

Camp Hayes
June 24th

Dear Father

Again we got marching orders, for the Front, as we think this time. Yesterday at noon the whole Brigade had Orders, to be ready to move, at short [notice] with 10 Days Rations, 3 in Haversacks & 7 in Wagons, so last night we had our 3 Days Rations in Haversacks & had Knapsacks packed. There is a thousand & one Rumors, about where, we are going too, some say to the Peninsula , to join Hooker [&] everything else. In talking with Chap Brown last night, he says we shall most, likely see Active Service now. As yest we have not got Orders to move, but to be ready to move, at any moment.

I sent home 2 Wollen Blankets, yesterday, by a Mr Williamson, who was visiting here. If the US Mark is on them tell Charlie, to mark it over with Paint. These Blankets, I picked up, the 3d Army Corps, threw them away. I should have sent home more things, if I had, had the Time, If Jimmy Larue gets his Furlough, I will send, some by him. If we march I shall cut down what I can to a very small [compass] All I shall carry, will be a Rubber Blanket, 2 shirts, Collars (though I do not know how far) Tactics & a few little [Traps]. I shall not even carry a Wollen [sic] Blanket.

Barney & Albert, are going on Picket this morning. All the rest are well. I was a little disappointed, last night in not getting a letter from you, I shall expect one tonight. When we move from here, it is good bye, to White Gloves, then we will be Real Soldiers, not make believe.

There is no news in Camp, this morning, everything is quiet. Yesterday the Colonel [paid] some Farmers, outside the Lines, & brought in some Lambs, & a great many Chicken, they all came in Loaded

I will write as soon as we move

Yours

Manley

——————–

(second letter)

Camp Hayes
June 24th 63
8,45 PM

Dear Father

Well we are in for it now, today we got orders to join the 2nd Corps (Genl Hancock) at Thorofare Gap, as soon as practicable Which means immediately. Most likely we shall go tomorrow. Today we finished, drawing our Rations & now we are all packed up ready to move. I have cut, down my things, today, that I am going to carry, just as much as possible. I shall carry the Rubber Blanket my overcoat, & half a Shelter Tent. As soon as my Things get heavy, away they go, I shall not kill myself, If I can not carry, two Shirts, one will go. The Old Troops, say carry nothing. We are to report at Thorofare Gap, where the Battle was Fought last Sunday. There is one thing the 2nd Corps, Genl Hancocks, is the Favorite, of Genl Halleck,

Now Good Bye Furlough, in August.

Harvey, has Turned in his Things, tonight, & is going to Washington, he is not able, to march. All the Supplies Property is to be turned over to the Quartermasters, to be stored.

The 3 Division, of the 6th Corps came in here, this afternoon, I think they will relieve us here, Tonight there is a great deal of excitiement again. Now we shall, see something of a Soldiers life, If you visit us in about 3 months, you will see different looking lot men.

June 25th 5,15 AM. Last night I found some Boys I knew, in the 122d, NY, that came from Syracuse. The Ladies have got to leave, today Mrs Holmes, starts at 11 AM. It will be a disappointment, for some of them, for as Mrs Holmes said, they expected, to stay all summer. We have got but 2 Sergts, in the Co now, for Duty, So I am going to act, as Sergt, for a few weeks, until one is appointed.

Now I shall be glad to hear from Home as often as possible & in return, I will write you everything, of importance. This will Blockade my Furlough & will fix me for my Time, but never mind that. I can not tell whether we shall move today or not, I think yes. Jimmy Larue, feels very bad at the Loss of his Father. I am glad to hear so good an account of Charley & Rosa

I will write often

Love to all

Manley

Edwards Ferry Md
3d Brigade, & Division
2nd Army Corps, Co D 111th Regt
June 27th 1863

Dear Father

I suppose you will be anxious to hear, from me by this time, so I embrace the first opportunity, of writing a letter.

We left Centerville, at 3 PM for Gum Spring, the order, for our moving to Thorofare Gap, having been Countermanded. After a pretty good march, of 9 miles, most of it through the Rain, we arr about 6 PM. We then pitched our Shelter Tents & prepared for the night. By this time it had settled into a steady Drizzling Rain. I had just got settled down, for a good sleep, being pretty tired, when the Orderly came, around, saying Stacey, Detailed for Picket tonight, report with 5 men. You can imagine how pleasant this was, to a man tired out, Raining hard, at 10 oclock, at night. About 11 PM, we left Camp, & after a great deal marching, was posted, at midnight.

This was one of the, most interesting, nights I have ever spent, sitting under a Tree, in a thick woods, wet through, & through. We marched to Camp, the next morning about 7 AM & found the Regt had struck Tents & were about to move. I just got had time to make my Cup of Tea, when we had to fall in. We marched, about a mile, & halted to let the Artillery & Baggage Trains, pass us, We left then at 11 AM. for Edwards Ferry. Distance 12 miles. This was the roughest days march I ever had, my Feet, got Blistered, so I could hardly step, & if it had not been for the kindness, of the Chap. & Dr Vosburg, I could not have got through. They both helped me along, on Horseback.

We Pitched our Tents, at Goose Creek, about 6 PM, & Bunked in for the night. At 10 PM, we were ordered to strike Tents, & get ready to move immediately. It was reported that, a Rebel, force was in our Rear, & were coming up, so we were ordered to cross the River. After a long & tedious march through the Thickest mud I have ever seen, & over the Pontoon Bridge, we arrived at the Ferry, from there we marched about 3 miles, arriving about 3,30 AM, Here we Camped, & I can tell you it took us but a short time to lay out Blankets & get to sleep.

This morning at 9 AM we were ordered to fall in, for Inspection, to see that the Guns, were, in Fighting Condition, then we fell in again, for a march, We marched about a mile, upon a hill, we are at present laying. I think we shall lay here until Monday, unless something turns up. We can not tell however. From here we go to Frederick City, from there no one knows, where ever the Fight is. Yesterday they told us all along the Line, that Lee had crossed over the Road, with a large Force & is now on this side the River. A Capt told me this morning that, our Corps & the 6th were Hookers Reserve & would be kept, in the Rear of the Army. Hooker now is in the Front, of Lee & we are in his Rear, there is also a Rebel Force, in the Rear of us.

The next letter, I shall write, about the Fight most likely, for I think we shall soon have one & a desperate one at that. I suppose you have heard [   ] this of our Troops leaving Centerville & Burning up the Church, with the Property turned over to be stored. You will not hear from me as often as formerly though I shall write as often as possible & shall be more anxious to hear from home than ever before. I shall keep you posted in Regard to our movements. Marching is now the Order of the Day, & we are on it.

Our Corps Badge is now, a Clover Leaf, I shall send home a Pattern & get Mother to make me one, our Color Blue, Red, for the first Division. White 2nd, Blue 3d.

We are now but a very short distance from Balls Bluff, so we can see it plain. The Gurillas are following, up our Army, & picking up the straglers & paroling them. If we stay here, today, I think we shall get some Mail. I think I shall write my letters, like a Diary, a little every day, then send it when I can.

Monocacy Junction
3 Brig, 3 Division 2d Army Corps
June 28th

Dear Father

I wrote you a letter yesterday, & put it in my pocket, intending to write more & seal it up, but I sweated & so it got sealed. I left off, in the morning, after I wrote the letter, I laid down to sleep, & was awakened, by the Order at 3 PM, Fall in, for the March. We all expected to lay over Sunday, at this Camp, We then started, for Poolsville 5 miles distance, this we marched in a very short time, the next place we came to was Barnsville, We marched, until 9 PM, when we halted, for the night. I never have been so Completely exhausted in my life, as I was then, it seemed as if I could not drag one foot, before the other. They marched us cruelly, so fast, that the Capt, said he did not expect, to have half, of his men, when they Halted. We should not have gone quite as far, but the General was Signaled, to march his men as far as possible.

This morning at 8 AM, we started, for Frederick City, 15 miles. This has been the easiest days march that I have ever had. Genl Hayes had comand [sic] & rested us often, we have just taken it slow & easy arriving here at 4 PM, we have Pitched our Tents on the Bank, of the River, & tonight have had, a good wash. We are Camped near the RR Bridge, but a short distance, from where we were, last fall.

Tonight, it is reported that McClenan has got command, of the Army again, The old Troops are Cheering a great deal over it. It is reported, here that they are Fighting at South Mountain, 17 miles from here. We should not be surprised if we have to go there yet, tonight. Now we are at a stand still. of course we know not what a day may bring forth. I shall hope to hear from you tomorrow, When we are marching, around so, we shall not get, nor can we send it regularly.

This is a Beautiful sunday morning evening, I would give a great deal, to go to Church tonight, it has seemed but little like sunday, to us today.

I will write again soon

Manley